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McLeod a contender for 2017 RBAR champion

Miner and News

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
4:37:27 EDT PM

Pete McLeod, originally from Red Lake, banks his Edge 540 V3 around an airgate on race day during the seventh round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship at Lausitzring, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017
Sebastian Marko/RBAR Championship Series

Pete McLeod’s fifth place finish at Lausitzring, Germany on Sunday, Sept. 17 was a set back of sorts dropping the former Red Lake bush pilot from second to third place overall in the 2017 Red Bull World Championship standings. However, he remains a contender for the championship going into the eighth and final race of the season at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Oct. 15. Only a few points separate the top four competitors making for a thrilling finish to the season as the championship crown is within McLeod’s grasp.

McLeod ’s bid to build on his three consecutive second place podium finishes in the last half of this year’s series hit a snag in Germany when was he was knocked out of contention in the head to head Round of 8 qualifying heat by Martin Sonka, whose posted time was just one-third of a second faster than McLeod.

Sonka went on to claim third place in the Final 4 allowing the pilot form the Czech Republic, who has won two races this season, to reclaim his lead at the top of the 2017 series standings.

“Definitely it was a little disappointing, but at the same time, it was a very exciting flight for me. There was a lot at stake, and it was really energizing,” said McLeod, following the race. “I made (Sonka) work for it, and he flew well to beat me. Whatever happens at Indy, I want to fly a good race and focus on finishing the season on a high note.”

Yoshihide Muroya of Japan won the race, his third podium finish of the season, with Australian Matt Hall taking second place, Sonka in third and Juan Velarde of Spain rounding out the top four.

Kirby Chambliss of the United States, who won two consecutive races earlier this season, is in fourth place overall and also in position to make a bid for the championship title next month.